Refrigerator appliance

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker and a container. The ice maker directs ice into a storage volume of the container. The container is removably positioned within a fresh food chamber of the refrigerator appliance. A valve is mounted to the container and configured for regulating a flow of liquid out of the storage volume of the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances and ice-making assemblies for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, the cabinet can define a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber. The fresh food chamber can be maintained at a temperature greater than the freezing point of water. Conversely, the freezer chamber can be maintained at a temperature equal to or less than the freezing point of water.

Certain refrigerator appliances also include an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker can be positioned within the appliances' freezer chamber and direct ice into an ice bucket where it can be stored within the freezer chamber. Such refrigerator appliances can also include a dispensing system for assisting a user with accessing ice produced by the refrigerator appliances' ice maker.

Storing ice within a refrigerator appliance's freezer chamber can have certain drawbacks. In particular, certain refrigerator appliances maintain their freezer chambers at temperatures well below the freezing point of water. Ice stored in such conditions can become cloudy and/or hard relative to ice stored at warmer temperatures. Consumers can find such cloudy and/or hard ice undesirable.

Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for storing ice at or greater than about the freezing point of water would be useful. Further, a refrigerator appliance with features for hindering ice from clouding and/or hardening would be useful.

Ice stored at or greater than about the freezing point of water can melt over time, and melting can generate liquid runoff. In refrigerator appliances, such liquid runoff can fill or collect within an ice bucket storing ice therein and negatively affect storage of such ice. Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for assisting removal of liquid from a container having ice stored therein would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a refrigerator appliance. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker and a container. The ice maker directs ice into a storage volume of the container. The container is removably positioned within a fresh food chamber of the refrigerator appliance. A valve is mounted to the container and configured for regulating a flow of liquid out of the storage volume of the container. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber. An ice maker is disposed within the fresh food chamber or the freezer chamber of the cabinet. A container defines a storage volume for receipt of ice produced by the ice maker. The container is removably positioned within the fresh food chamber of the cabinet. A valve is mounted to the container. The valve is configured for selective adjustment between an open configuration in which the valve permits a flow of liquid out the storage volume of the container and a closed configuration in which the valve hinders the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of the container. The valve shifts between the open and closed configurations when the container is removed from and inserted into the fresh food chamber of the cabinet.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet for permitting selective access to the fresh food chamber of the cabinet. An ice maker is disposed on the door within the fresh food chamber of the cabinet. A container is removably positioned on the door. The container defines a storage volume and an opening. The storage volume of the container is configured for receipt of ice produced by the ice maker. The opening of the container is configured for directing a flow of liquid out of the storage volume of the container. A valve is mounted to the container at the opening of the container. The valve is configured for regulating a flow of liquid out the storage volume of the container such that the valve permits the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of the container through the opening of the container when the container is positioned on the door and the valve hinders the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of the container through the opening of the container when the container is removed from the door.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary body of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a front, elevation view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with doors of the refrigerator appliance shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food chamber of the refrigerator appliance and an ice-making assembly according to an exemplary body of the present subject matter positioned therein.

FIG. 3 provides a schematic view of the ice-making assembly of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of a container of the ice-making assembly of FIG. 3 removed from the refrigerator appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter with refrigerator doors 128 of the refrigerator appliance 100 shown in a closed position. FIG. 2 provides a front, elevation view of refrigerator appliance 100 with refrigerator doors 128 shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food chamber 122 of refrigerator appliance 100. As discussed in greater detail below, refrigerator appliance 100 includes an ice-making assembly 200, e.g., positioned within fresh food chamber 122 of refrigerator appliance 100.

Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 120 that extends between a top portion 101 and a bottom portion 102 along a vertical direction V. Housing 120 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 120 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent top portion 101 of housing 120 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent bottom portion 102 of housing 120. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator appliance. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance or a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

Refrigerator doors 128 are rotatably mounted or hinged to an edge of housing 120 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 128 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 124. As discussed above, refrigerator doors 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1, and refrigerator doors 128 are shown in the open position in FIG. 2.

Turning now to FIG. 2, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber 122 to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include bins 140, drawers 142, and shelves 144 that are mounted within fresh food chamber 122. Bins 140, drawers 142, and shelves 144 are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers 142 can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, and/or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, an ice-making assembly 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter is mounted to refrigerator appliance 100. In particular, ice-making assembly 200 is mounted to one of refrigerator doors 128. Thus, ice-making assembly 200 can be positioned within fresh-food chamber 122, e.g., when refrigerator doors 128 are closed. Ice-making 200 is configured for producing ice and is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 provides a schematic view of ice-making assembly 200. FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of a container 220 of ice-making assembly 200. Ice-making assembly 200 includes an ice maker 210. Although shown mounted to or disposed on refrigerator door 128 in FIG. 2, ice maker 210 may be mounted to any other suitable component of refrigerator appliance 100 in alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, ice maker 210 may be mounted to housing 120, e.g., within fresh food chamber 122.

Ice maker 210 is configured for producing ice. As an example, ice maker 210 can be a nugget or auger style ice maker. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, ice maker 210 is positioned within fresh food chamber 122 when refrigerator doors 128 are closed. Ambient air within fresh food chamber 122 is not maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to permit formation of ice by ice maker 210. Thus, ice maker 210 includes a chilled air inlet 214 and a chilled air outlet 216. Chilled air inlet 214 can direct chilled air from freezer chamber 124 to ice maker 210. Because chilled air within freezer chamber 124 can have a sufficiently low temperature to permit formation of ice, chilled air therefrom can assist or permit ice maker 210 to produce ice despite the position of ice maker 210 within fresh food chamber 122. To facilitate the flow of chilled air from freezer chamber 124 to ice maker 210, chilled air outlet 216 can direct air away from ice maker 210, e.g., back to freezer chamber 124.

Ice maker 210 also includes an ice chute 212. Ice chute 212 directs ice produced by ice maker 210, e.g., into a storage volume 222 of container 220. Storage volume 222 is defined by container 220 and is configured for receipt of ice produced by ice maker 210. As may be seen in FIG. 2, ice maker 210 is positioned above container 220 along the vertical direction V. In particular, ice chute 212 of ice maker 210 is positioned above container 220 along the vertical direction V. Thus, ice can slide off of ice chute 212 and drop into storage volume 222 of container 220.

Container 220 is removably positioned or mounted within fresh food chamber 122 of housing 120. In particular, container 220 can be removably positioned on or mounted to refrigerator door 128. As an example, a user can grasp a handle 236 (FIG. 2) of container 220 in order to lift container 220 off of refrigerator door 128 and, e.g., place container 220 on a countertop or table such that the user can more easily access ice within storage volume 222 of container 220.

Container 220 extends between a top portion 226 and a bottom portion 228 along the vertical direction V. Ice from ice maker 210 can enter storage volume 222 of container 220 at top portion 226 of container 220 and rest within storage volume 222 of container 220 at bottom portion 228 of container 220. In particular, container 220 includes a bottom wall 232 positioned at bottom portion 228 of container 220. Ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 can rest on bottom wall 232. Container 220 also includes a sidewall 230 connected to bottom wall 232 and extending along the vertical direction V, e.g., between top and bottom portions 226 and 228 of container 220.

Because container 220 is positioned or stored within fresh food chamber 122, ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 is maintained or stored at a temperature greater than the melting point of water or greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 melts over time. Such melting generates liquid run off within storage volume 222 of container 220. Ice-making assembly 200 includes features for directing such liquid out of storage volume 222 of container 220 as discussed in greater detail below.

A valve 240 is mounted to container 220, e.g., at bottom portion 228 of container 220. In particular, container 220 defines an opening 224 for permitting a flow of liquid out of storage volume 222 of container 220. Valve 240 is mounted at opening 224 and is configured for regulating the flow of water out of storage volume 222 of container 220 through opening 224.

Container 220 also includes a screen 250 positioned within storage volume 222 of container 220. Screen 250 can be mounted to bottom wall 232 of container 220, e.g., above valve 240 and opening 224 along the vertical direction V. Screen 250 defines a plurality of holes 252 that permit a flow of liquid therethrough. However, holes 252 are sized to hinder ice within storage volume 222 of container 220 from passing therethrough. Thus, screen 250 can support ice thereon while permitting liquid runoff to pass through holes 252 to opening 224 and out of storage volume 222 of container 220. In such a manner, screen 250 can hinder ice from clogging or obstructing opening 224 and/or valve 240.

Valve 240 includes a stem 242 mounted to container 220, e.g., to screen 250. Stem 242 can be a rod or other linear component that extends along the vertical direction V. A seal 244 is mounted to stem 242. Seal 244 can be constructed of any suitable material, such as an elastomeric material. Valve 240 also includes a biasing mechanism or spring 246. Spring 246 extends between container 220, e.g., screen 250 of container 220, and seal 244. Spring 246 urges seal 244, e.g., downwardly along the vertical direction V, against container 220 at opening 224 of container 220. In particular, spring 246 urges seal 244 into opening 224 of container 220 in order to clog or obstruct opening 224 and hinder the flow of liquid out of storage volume 222 of container 220 through opening 224.

As discussed above, valve 240 is configured for regulating the flow of liquid out storage volume 222 of container 220. In particular, valve 240 permits the flow of liquid out of storage volume 222 of container 220 through opening 224 when container 220 is positioned within fresh food chamber 122, e.g., on refrigerator door 128. Conversely, valve 240 hinders the flow of liquid out of storage volume 222 of container 220 through opening 224 when container 220 is removed from fresh food chamber 122, e.g., from refrigerator door 128. Thus, valve 240 is configured for selective adjustment between an open configuration in which valve 240 permits the flow of liquid out storage volume 222 of container 220 and a closed configuration in which valve 240 hinders the flow of liquid out of storage volume 222 of container 220.

As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, valve 240 shifts between the open and closed configurations when container 220 is removed from and inserted into fresh food chamber 122 of housing 120. In particular, valve 240 is in the open configuration when container 220 is positioned on refrigerator door 128. Refrigerator door 128 includes an actuator 248, e.g., that extends upwardly along the vertical direction V. A distal end 247 of stem 242 can engage actuator 248 to slide stem 242 and seal 244 upwardly along the vertical direction V away from opening 224 when container 220 rests on refrigerator door 128.

From the position shown in FIG. 3, a user can utilize handle 236 (FIG. 2) of container 220 to lift container 220 off refrigerator door 128. When container 220 is removed from refrigerator door 128 and/or positioned outside of fresh food chamber 122, distal end 247 of stem 242 does not engage actuator 248, and spring 246 urges stem 242 and seal 244 downwardly along the vertical direction V towards opening 224 such that seal 244 obstructs opening 224 as shown in FIG. 4.

In such a manner, valve 240 can assist within regulating the flow of liquid through opening 224. In particular, valve 240 can permit runoff from melted ice to exit storage volume 222 of container 220 when container 220 is positioned on door 128, and valve 240 can obstruct opening 224 and hinder such runoff from spilling or leaking when container 220 is removed from door 128.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a reservoir 260. Reservoir 260 is disposed below container 220 along the vertical direction V. In particular, support legs 234 of container 220 can rest within reservoir 260 when container 220 is positioned on refrigerator door 128. Reservoir 260 receives the flow of liquid from storage volume 222 of container 220, e.g., when valve 240 is in the open configuration and container 220 is mounted to refrigerator door 128.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a drain line 270. Drain line 270 extends between an inlet 272 and an outlet 274 (FIG. 2). Inlet 272 of drain line 270 is positioned adjacent reservoir 260 and is configured for directing liquid out of reservoir 260. Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes an evaporator pan 280 (FIG. 2), e.g., positioned within housing 120. Outlet 274 of drain line 270 is positioned adjacent evaporator pan 280 and is configured for directing liquid from drain line 270 into evaporator pan 280. Thus, drain line 270 extends between and fluidly connects reservoir 260 and evaporator pan 280. In particular, drain line 270 directs liquid runoff from container 220 within reservoir 260 to evaporator pan 280. Within evaporator pan 280, such liquid can evaporate.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, evaporator pan 280 can also receive liquid runoff from an evaporator (not shown) of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., during a defrost cycle of refrigerator appliance 100. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, evaporator pan 280 can be a separate component such that runoff from reservoir 260 and the evaporator of refrigerator appliance 100 are directed to separate pans. In additional exemplary embodiments, outlet 274 of drain line 270 can be directed to a drain of a plumbing system (not shown), e.g., within a residence housing refrigerator appliance 100, such that run off is directed into the plumbing system rather than evaporating within refrigerator appliance 100.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber; an ice maker disposed within the fresh food chamber or the freezer chamber of said cabinet; a container defining a storage volume for receipt of ice produced by said ice maker, said container removably positioned within the fresh food chamber of said cabinet; a valve mounted to said container, said valve configured for selective adjustment between an open configuration in which said valve permits a flow of liquid out the storage volume of said container and a closed configuration in which said valve hinders the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of said container, said valve configured for shifting between the open and closed configurations when said container is removed from and inserted into the fresh food chamber of said cabinet.
 2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said valve is in the open configuration when said container is positioned within the fresh food chamber of said cabinet and said valve is in the closed configuration when said container is positioned outside of the fresh food chamber of said cabinet.
 3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said cabinet defines a vertical direction, said container extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, said valve mounted to said container at the bottom portion of said container.
 4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 3, further comprising a screen positioned within the storage volume of said container and above said valve along the vertical direction.
 5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said container defines an opening for directing the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of said container, said valve comprising: a stem mounted to said container; a seal mounted to said stem; and a spring urging said seal against said container at the opening of said container.
 6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said cabinet defines a vertical direction, said ice maker positioned within the fresh food chamber of said cabinet and above said container along the vertical direction.
 7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein ice within the storage volume of said container is maintained at a temperature greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
 8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a door rotatably mounted to said cabinet for permitting selective access to the fresh food chamber of said cabinet, said container and said ice maker mounted to said door.
 9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir, said cabinet defining a vertical direction, said reservoir disposed below said container along the vertical direction and receiving the flow of liquid from the storage volume of said container when said valve is in the open configuration.
 10. The refrigerator appliance of claim 9, further comprising a drain line extending between an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said drain line positioned adjacent said reservoir and configured for directing liquid out of said reservoir to the outlet of said drain line.
 11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, further comprising an evaporator pan positioned within said cabinet, the outlet of said drain line positioned adjacent said evaporator pan and configured for directing liquid into said evaporator pan.
 12. A refrigerator appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber; a door rotatably mounted to said cabinet for permitting selective access to the fresh food chamber of said cabinet; an ice maker disposed on said door within the fresh food chamber of said cabinet; a container removably positioned on said door, said container defining a storage volume and an opening, the storage volume of said container configured for receipt of ice produced by said ice maker, the opening of said container configured for directing a flow of liquid out of the storage volume of said container; and a valve mounted to said container at the opening of said container, said valve configured for regulating a flow of liquid out the storage volume of said container such that said valve permits the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of said container through the opening of said container when said container is positioned on said door and said valve hinders the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of said container through the opening of said container when said container is removed from said door.
 13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein said cabinet defines a vertical direction, said container extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, said valve mounted to said container at the bottom portion of said container.
 14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 13, further comprising a screen positioned within the storage volume of said container and above said valve along the vertical direction.
 15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein said valve comprises: a stem mounted to said container; a seal mounted to said stem; and a spring urging said seal against said container at the opening of said container.
 16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein said cabinet defines a vertical direction, said ice maker positioned above said container along the vertical direction.
 17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein ice within the storage volume of said container is maintained at a temperature greater than about thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit.
 18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, further comprising a reservoir mounted to said door, said cabinet defining a vertical direction, said reservoir disposed below said container along the vertical direction and receiving the flow of liquid from the storage volume of said container when said valve directs the flow of liquid out of the storage volume of said container.
 19. The refrigerator appliance of claim 18, further comprising a drain line extending between an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of said drain line positioned adjacent said reservoir and configured for directing liquid out of said reservoir to the outlet of said drain line.
 20. The refrigerator appliance of claim 19, further comprising an evaporator pan positioned within said cabinet, the outlet of said drain line positioned adjacent said evaporator pan and configured for directing liquid into said evaporator pan. 